B/5583

2^nd Bn. THE BORDER REGT.

SOME NOTES ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL 7^TH DIVISION.

Nov. 2^nd.        An intercepted wireless massage this day announced the arrival of the

Kaiser on this front and as was expected, at about noon on November 2^nd another desperate effort to break through was made by the enemy from the direction of GHELUVELT against the 1^st Division and against the right of the 20^th Infantry Brigade.

The attack succeeded in driving back the 1^st Division and all its available reserves were used up without result.  The last reserves of the 7^th Division were then sent forward to try and preserve the flank of the 20^th Infantry Brigade.  The fighting this day was particularly fierce – the finest troops of the German Army, under the eyes of the Kaiser, hurled themselves in vain against the battered line of the 7^th Division.

This was really the last big attack the enemy made – for although he continued to bombard and attack our line, it was only in a half-hearted manner.

Some idea of the severity of the fighting the Division had taken part in may be formed by examining the fighting strength of Brigades at this time.  The 20^th Infantry Brigade was reduced to 18 Officers 900 other ranks; the 21^st Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 910 other ranks; the 22^nd Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 586 other ranks.